Category: Communities

Island Journal

Upcycling, Island Style

Outside, there is still the gritty facade of what was most recently Vinalhaven’s public works garage; preceding that, it was the net factory, with much older roots. Now the building houses the island’s Swap Shop, an intown facility relocated from the dump. Especially for those familiar with the old one, the surprise is inside—an interior resembling a department store, various sections stocked with the different categories of goods—but no price tags on anything because all of it has been donated and is free. SEE MORE

Island Journal

The Working Waterfront Wars

Karen Sanford on the shore in South Portland, looking westerly at Portland’s waterfront. Sanford was a leader in the effort to preserve working waterfront access after condominiums were built on a pier. PHOTO: TOM GROENING   Karen Sanford had a quiet life planned when she arrived in Portland in the mid-1980s.… SEE MORE

Island Journal

The Long Journey from Boat to Plate

Photos by Jack Sullivan It’s 2:30 in the morning and the wharf staff at Fifield Lobster Company in Stonington is preparing for the arrival of about 40 commercial fishing boats in the next few hours, with the vessels landing just long enough to load up on bait and fuel. The… SEE MORE

Island Journal

Objectively Caring for Her Community

Photos by Barry Fitzsimmons A career in journalism means being an observer, not a player. It means not taking sides, even when it comes to an endeavor as worthy as eldercare for a small island community. Susan Stranahan says that when she left daily journalism and moved to Chebeague Island… SEE MORE

Island Journal

Monhegan’s Tara Hire: Be Creative, Work Hard

Tara Hire of Monhegan Island is one of those people for whom island life seems like an appropriate match. She’s not afraid to step into the important roles that keep an island functioning, such as serving on the town’s board of assessors (similar to a select board), and she’s figured… SEE MORE

Island Journal

An Old Salt, An Old Way of Life

Illustrations by Leslie Bowman  Five degrees above zero and the diesel motor chugged. My fingers were wet and numb and my hands couldn’t work the clasp on the chain-link bag of mussels that hung dripping salt water and mud onto my hood, shoulders, and face. My blue vinyl gloves had… SEE MORE

Island Journal

The Island’s Star

PHOTOS BY SHERI ROMER In 1933 while he was in the first grade, Robert Clark created a painting for a beloved teacher. Forty years later, after his iconic LOVE image swept, un-copyrighted and thus less fulfillingly than might have otherwise been the case, through the graphic world of publishing, television,… SEE MORE

Island Journal

An Island Helmsman

While roaming from one end of the labyrinth-like yacht yard that bears his name to the other, Gabe Pendleton checks in with employees as they work. He’s soft spoken, but Pendleton’s voice carries over the power tools—even while wearing a mask. Whether it’s boat yard logistics or a simple hello,… SEE MORE

Island Journal

Sarah Brake – An Island’s Human Resource

When Sarah Brake first moved to Frenchboro in 2014, she didn’t think it was a good idea. At all. “I was terrified when I first moved to the island, didn’t think I was going to make it whatsoever. Island life isn’t easy.” Seven years and one pandemic later, Brake, 29,… SEE MORE